Bandpass Filter For Separation Of A Specifically Selected Gas From A Group Of Gases Or An Atmosphere

ABSTRACT

What is disclosed is a mass selective fluid bandpass filter. This filter provides for selecting gas molecules of a specific mass from a gas sample containing molecules of two or more mass species. This filter provides a means of operation of a selecting a predetermined gas from a group of gases or an atmosphere. The mass selective fluid bandpass filter consists of quartz glass, of either natural or manmade origin. This provides method of removing a predetermined gas from the group consisting of:  1 H 2 ,  1 H 2 H,  2 H 2 ,  1 H 3 H,  2 H 3 H,  3 H 2 ,  1 H 2 O,  1 H 2 HO,  2 H 2 O,  1 H 3 HO,  2 H 3 HO,  3 H 2 O,  3 He,  4 He, O 2 , O 3 ,  12 CO 2 ,  13 CO 2 ,  14 CO 2 , CO, N 2 , NO, NO 2 , NO x , SiO 2 , FeO, Fe 2 O 3 , SiF 4 , HF, NH 3 , SO 2 , SO 3 , H 2 SO 4 , H 2 S,  35 Cl 2 ,  37 Cl 2 , F 2 , Al 2 O 3 , CaO, MnO, P 2 O 5 , phenols, volatile organic compounds, and peroxyacyl nitrates.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

“This application is a related to U.S. Pat. No. 10,005,033 issued Jun. 26, 2018 to this inventor and to inventor Gary M. McMurtry titled: Isotopic Enrichment of Helium-3 Through Glass. This application also claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/763,728, filed 2018 Jun. 26 by the present inventor.”

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

No listing.

BACKGROUND: FIELD OF INVENTION Introduction

There is a need for separation of specific gases from collections of gases or an atmosphere. Earth's atmosphere now has many noxious gases providing health hazards and also becoming damaging to the environment. It has been show that increases in atmospheric ozone is associated with increases in mortality (Dec. 26, 2017, Association of Short-term Exposure to Air Pollution With Mortality in Older Adults, JAMA, vol 318, No 24, 2246 incorporated herein by reference). Carbon Dioxide, CO₂, levels in the atmosphere have been steadily increasing over the years. CO₂ and water are the primary end products of hydrocarbon burning for energy, representing accumulation of low energy molecules not recycled back to high energy states by photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis in the main energy input to earth and we are rapidly approaching the thermodynamic equilibrium of deep space (Schramski, J. R., Gattie, D. K., and Brown, J. H., Jun. 8, 2015, Human domination of the biosphere: Rapid dischargee of the earth-space battery foretells the future of humankind, www.pnas.org/cdi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1508353112 incorporated herein by reference). We need a high rate, primary energy source for earth that is parallel to the only input we presently have being photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is not sufficient to keep up with the energy demand of the current world's population and this lack will lead to dire consequences unless addressed.

This inventor is proposing a four step process which he has titled fusionsynthesis. Step one is production of high levels of nearly unlimited energy using efficient fusion reactors patented by this inventor (Deluze, J. R., Jan. 3, 2012, Apparatus For Hot Fusion Of Fusion Reactive-Gases, USPTO patent U.S. Pat. No. 8,090,071 B2 incorporated herein by reference). Fusion of deuterium found in the ocean along with its waste product helium-3 will provide all the energy humanity will need into the foreseeable future.

But more than just energy is needed for the process of fusionsynthesis. Step two is commercial capture of CO₂ in gigaton quantities. Step three is hydrolysis of water to hydrogen and free oxygen. Step four is synthesis of hydrogen and CO₂ to methane and water. The water is cycled through step three to release the other oxygen. This forms an analogous parallel pathway to photosynthesis using fusion reactions here on earth as the energy source. This provides for recharging the earth-space battery, moving this world away from the thermal equilibrium of deep space.

Selective commercial capture of CO₂ in gigaton quantities has so far eluded all attempts. Inventors developed a high “Q” (quality) mass selective fluid bandpass filter capable of partially addressing such demands. “Q” relates to the filter's rejection characteristics of non selected gases. This filer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,005,033 issued Jun. 26, 2018 to Gary M. McMurtry and James R. DeLuze titled: Isotopic Enrichment of Helium-3 Through Glass and incorporated herein by reference and named as prior art. Adaptation of this mass selective fluid bandpass filter is the basis of the invention presented within this application. This new invention improves on the previous invention by providing a load bearing member to which the mass selective fluid bandpass filter element of the previous invention is permanently affixed. The design specifications of the unreinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter element of the previous invention make it unable to bear differential pressures exceeding approximately 30 pounds per square inch absolute (PSIA). Pressures exceeding these values result in rupture of the mass selective fluid bandpass filter element made of quartz glass.

It has been observed that the gas flow rate through the mass selective fluid bandpass filter of the original filter increased in a one to one relationship with increasing differential pressure, with all other conditions being equal. For the need of the instrument design of the initial invention, sufficient filter flow rates were obtained with differential pressures below 30 PSIG. The selectivity and “Q” characteristics of the original mass selective fluid bandpass filter meet the requirements of commercial filtration, such as selective commercial capture of CO₂ in gigaton quantities. However, the original filter is severely inadequate to meet the filter flow through rate requirements needed for commercial filtration of significant amounts of gas in commercial applications.

The modified reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter of this invention will provide sufficient filter flow through rates for the fusionsynthesis recycling of greenhouse gases into free oxygen and methane. Methane is the precursor for synthetic hydrocarbon synthesis to provide the petrochemicals needed for modern society. In addition, it will provide for the removal from the environment of noxious gases such as ozone which are detrimental to the environment and to health. In addition it will provide for the separation of a specifically selected gas from a group of gases or an atmosphere to be commercially viable.

Researchers have evaluated the selective transmission of gas through glass including this inventor and his associates. Selective high “Q” transmittance of ³He is published (McMurtry, G. M., DeLuze, J. R., Hilton, D. R., and Blessing, J. E., Mar. 26, 2019, Differential diffusion of helium isotopes in glass, quantum tunneling ³He enrichment, and portable ³He/⁴He monitoring of mantle processes, Scientific Reports, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41360-5 incorporated herein by reference). The structure of helium passageways through quartz glass has been modeled (Boiko, G. G. and Berezhoni G. V., Migration paths of helium in α-quartz and vitreous silica from molecular dynamics data, Glass Phys. and Chem., 29, 42-48 (2003) incorporated herein by reference). These passageways included “ring like structures” connected to other shapes making a “free space” passageway across the glass structure. They could be likened to “pores” through the glass structure. In pure quartz, the volume of this “free space” contributes a significant percentage to the total volume of the involved quartz glass.

G. M. McMurtry, first author, likened this transmittance phenomenon to quantum tunneling. J. R. DeLuze, second author and present inventor, likens this transmittance phenomenon to the passage of gas through the pores of free glass space. Mass specificity and selectivity are believed to be dependent on molecular size, shape, and binding characteristics. At a given temperature and pressure differential, the shape and dynamics of the pore give selective transmission to a gas of a given Atomic Mass Unit (AMU) value over that of gases of differing AMU values. The dynamic behavior of a pore as relating to passage or blockage of a specific gas is referred to as the opening and closing of a “gate” or “port”.

With pure quartz glass the ring structures are open. Adding a modifier to quartz glass in its manufacture may partially occupy or completely block the open space of the ring structures. Additionally, the modifier may incorporate into the ring structure, and or related structures, altering the dynamic behavior of the pore to gas transmission. (Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3rd. edition, pp 807-19 incorporated herein by reference). At specific temperatures, pure quartz glass “leaks” helium across the glass. Addition of a lead modifier in sufficient quantity will significantly reduce or stop transmission of helium across quartz glass. Helium containers are made of heavy leaded quartz glass.

Addition of a predetermined chemical modifier in predetermined amounts will modify the gas transmittance of quartz glass to give specific selectivity characteristics, “Q”, and transmittance of gas of a predetermined AMU value over gases of differing AMU values.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

A graph of a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system of ordered pairs where the ordinate, the y-axis, represents the partial pressure of ³He in Torr, and the abscissa, the x-axis, represent the temperature in degrees Celsius. This plot shows the relative opening and closing of ports allowing conductance of ³He at various temperatures in the upswing of a heat ramp. This figure is from U.S. Pat. No. 10,005,033 and illustrates the opening and closing of high “Q” gates allowing transmittance of helium-3 in determination of the helium-3; helium-4 ratio by that instrument.

FIG. 2

A schematic representation of a single reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter hooked up with its ancillary apparatus.

FIG. 3

A schematic representation of multiple reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filters hooked up in a series arrangement to increase the purity of the outlet gas.

FIG. 4

A schematic representation of multiple reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filters hooked up in a sequential arrangement to remove more than one predetermined gas.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

-   1. Particle filter. -   2. Pump. -   3. Pressure regulator. -   4. Heat exchanger. -   5. Heat exchanger fluid lines. -   6. Gas inlet structure. -   7. Gas inlet space. -   8. Reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter. -   9. Mass selective fluid bandpass filter element. -   10. Gas outlet space. -   11. Filtered gas outlet. -   12. Non filtered gas outlet structure. -   13. Surge tank. -   14. Sintered metal load bearing structure. -   15. Pressure sensor. -   16. Temperature sensor. -   17. Mass spectrometer. -   18. Pipe. -   19. Temperature change means. -   20. Endcap. -   21. Housing. -   22. Non filtered gas outlet. -   23. Reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter mounted in     housing. -   24. Final selected gas output. -   25. Selected gas output one. -   26. Selected gas output two. -   27. Selected gas output three. -   28. Electric cable. -   29. Ancillary electronic apparatus. -   30. Graph ordinate, the y-axis, representing ³He partial pressure in     Torr. -   31. Graph origin. -   32. Graph abscissa, the X-axis, representing temperature in degrees     Celsius. -   33. Estimated noise floor of quadrupole mass spectrometer. -   34. ³He gate opening point. -   35. ³He gate closing point. -   36. ³He high “Q” gate opening point. -   37. ³He high “Q” gate closing point. -   38. Point of ³He signal being swamped by other gases present.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The essence of this invention are novel properties of quartz glass discovered by the previous inventors and improved upon by the present inventor. It comprises a reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter (8). The reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter comprises a mass selective fluid bandpass filter element (9) permanently affixed to a sintered metal load bearing structure (14). The mass selective fluid bandpass filter element is a supercooled liquid. The supercooled liquid is quartz glass. The quartz glass wherein the quartz glass consists of quartz of either natural or manmade origin. The reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter wherein this apparatus provides for a high selectivity in gas separation. The mass selective fluid bandpass filter element made of quartz glass provides a method for very selective filtering of gases of close atomic mass unit values within the operational range of this filter. The mass selective fluid bandpass filter element wherein the specific atomic mass unit at which maximum transmission occurs is influenced by factors including temperature of the mass selective fluid bandpass filter element, differential pressure across the mass selective fluid bandpass filter element, and glass composition. The mass selective fluid bandpass filter element made of quartz glass provides a method wherein the atomic mass unit of maximum transmission has a direct relationship with the temperature of said mass selective fluid bandpass filter element made of quartz glass. The specific atomic mass unit at which maximum transmission occurs is influenced by factors including temperature of the mass selective fluid bandpass filter element made of quartz glass, thickness of the mass selective fluid bandpass filter element made of quartz glass, differential pressure across the reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter made of quartz glass and sintered metal, and the composition of the mass selective fluid bandpass filter element made of quartz glass. The mass selective fluid bandpass filter element made of quartz glass provides a method wherein species of a given atomic mass unit under set conditions are selectively transmitted, whereas species of higher and lower atomic mass unit values are selectively blocked, wherein said reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter exhibits a high quality, or “Q” characteristic. The mass selective fluid bandpass filter element made of quartz glass provides a method whereby with constant temperature operation the reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter can selectively pass a gas species of a predetermined atomic mass unit value. The mass selective fluid bandpass filter element made of quartz glass provides a method for very selective filtering of gases of close atomic mass unit values within the operational range of this filter.

The mass selective fluid bandpass filter element made of quartz glass provides a method that is selectively semipermeable to the gases to to be filtered by this apparatus. The selective semipermeable action on the gases to to be filtered is based on conditions of glass thickness, glass temperature, glass composition, and pressure differential across the glass.

This reinforced mass selective filter provides a method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere. The method of gas selection consists of a gas inlet structure (6), a gas inlet space (7), a mass selective fluid bandpass filter element, a gas outlet space (10), and a filtered gas outlet (11). The method of gas selection selection provides two internally bounded spaces which are separated by structures of titanium, stainless steel, borosilicate glass, sealing glass, quartz glass, and other metallic alloys. The mass selective fluid bandpass filter consists of a tube of sintered metal (14) upon which the quartz glass has been sealed and permanently affixed by those experienced in such art. The quartz glass has temperature sensor(s) (16) on the surface and a temperature change means (19) that is spirally wound upon its surface. The sintered metal is composed of a metal selected from the group consisting of: 1) titanium, 2) stainless steel, 3) aluminum, 4) an alloy of these metals, or 5) another metal and or alloy determined to best suit the given conditions. Temperature sensors are on the glass surface and a temperature change means is spirally wound upon the glass surface. The structures of stainless steel, borosilicate glass, and sealing glass are impermeable to the gases to be filtered by this apparatus. The quartz glass is selectively semipermeable to the gas to to be selected by this apparatus. The selective semipermeable action on the gases to to be filtered described by the apparatus is based on conditions of glass thickness, glass temperature, glass composition, and pressure differential across the glass. The method of selection employs one or more of the effects selected from the group consisting of: 1) gas inlet, 2) a gas inlet space, 3) a mass selective fluid bandpass filter element, 4) a gas outlet space, 5) a filtered gas outlet, and 6) a non filtered gas outlet structure (12). The assemblage of a gas inlet, gas inlet space, mass selective fluid bandpass filter element, gas outlet space, and non filtered gas outlet structure are mounted within a housing (21) and endcap(s) (20) collectively is a reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter mounted in housing (23). Such units may be serially and sequentially combined. A temperature change means consists of a means selected from the group: a) metallic electric resistance tape; b) flattened tubing transporting a fluid at a predetermined temperature.

FIG. 1 shows a portion of the initial up ramp of a heat ramp wherein the gates passing ³He selectively opening prior to the gates passing ⁴He. This figure is an example of the behavior of the mass selective fluid filter with relation to gases ³He and ⁴He. Within the operation of this present invention, the operation would be similar with gates selectively opening and closing for the predetermine gases, but at pressures and temperatures that would be specific and different for each predetermined gas. This FIG. 1 is presented as an example. The graph ordinate (30), the y-axis, represents ³He partial pressure in Torr. The graph origin is at (31). The graph abscissa (32), the X-axis, represents temperature in degrees Celsius. The estimated noise floor of quadrupole mass spectrometer is at (33). The sample points are approximately spaced by 1 minute. (34) shows a point in time wherein ³He gate opening point has been passed and ³He is entering a high vacuum space (HV). (35) indicates a ³He gate closing point, for though the temperature continues to rise, the ³He partial pressure starts to decline. (37) indicates a ³He high “Q” gate closing point, for the rate of decline in ³He partial pressure drops much more steeply. This is followed by a ³He high “Q” gate opening point at (36) wherein the ³He partial pressure increases very steeply. This is sequentially followed by several subsequent ³He high “Q” gate closing and opening points, ending with a final ³He high “Q” gate closing point and the ³He signal being swamped by other gases present at point (38). The area under this curve represents the ³He gas accumulation during this heat up ramp phase. After this time gates open selectively to passing ⁴He. After the opening of the ⁴He gates admitting ⁴He into the mass spectrometer, with the abundance of ⁴He approximating a million times that of the ³He, the total gas pressure within the mass spectrometer is such that the noise floor raises to where the ³He can no longer be detected on further heat up ramp and or heat down ramp.

The reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter is a high “Q” fluid bandpass filter, an example of whose characteristics are shown in FIG. 1 and as described above, forms the method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere. What is disclosed is a reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter. This filter provides means for selecting gas molecules of a specific mass from a gas sample containing molecules of two or more mass species. This filter provides a means of operation of a selecting a predetermined gas from a group of gases or an atmosphere. The filter is a supercooled liquid consisting of quartz glass. The quartz glass of the mass selective fluid bandpass filter consists of quartz of either natural or manmade origin.

These components and structures are assembled according to current practice of those experienced in such art. This assemblage provides two vacuum and pressure tight external connections to internally contained gas inlet and outlet structures. This space bounded by this assemblage provides two internally bounded spaces which are separated by structures of the mass selective fluid bandpass filter. The quartz glass is selectively semipermeable to the gas to to be filtered by this apparatus. The selective semipermeable action on the gases to to be filtered is based on conditions of glass thickness, glass temperature, glass composition, and pressure differential across the glass.

Gas comprising species of differing atomic and molecular mass is introduced through the gas inlet into the gas inlet space. The predetermined gas mass species from this gas mixture is selectively transmitted across the semipermeable quartz glass section of the mass selective fluid bandpass filter element. This filtered gas collects in gas outlet space and exits by the a filtered gas outlet. This outlet gas can be used as is or can pass through repetitive reinforced mass selective fluid filter(s) mounted in housing(s) to bring the purity of the gas to the level needed by the application, since the “Q” and selectivity may vary with differing predetermined gas species.

The semipermeable quartz glass mass selective fluid bandpass filter behaves analogous to an electrical series resonant circuit comprised of resistance, capacitance, and inductance. Gas transmission is highest at the equivalent of series resonance wherein capacitive and inductive reactances cancel and circuit transmission is limited by the direct current (DC) resistance of the circuit. In this case, resonance represents the species molecular or atomic mass in AMU.

The specific AMU at which maximum transmission occurs is influenced by factors including temperature of the glass, differential pressure across the glass, and glass composition. It has been observed that AMU of maximum transmission has a direct relationship with the temperature of the glass. There has been observed a positive correlation between AMU and glass temperature within the temperature ranges observed during experiments. With increasing temperature, a higher value of AMU generally is selectively passed.

This filter is a reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter in that species of a given AMU under set conditions are selectively transmitted, whereas species of higher and lower AMU values are selectively blocked. This filter exhibits a high quality, or Q, characteristic. Q is defined as relative transmission at a given AMU value compared with the rejection characteristic of species of slightly higher or lower values of AMU.

For a given set of operating characteristics of glass composition and differential pressure, the AMU value selectively passed is controlled by the temperature of the glass. Ancillary electronic apparatus (29) determine this glass temperature and keep it within a predetermined temperature range by regulating the activity of temperature change means wrapped on the glass and by regulating the temperature and rate of fluid flow through heat exchanger fluid lines (5) and within heat exchanger (4). Temperature is monitored and controlled by temperature sensors, electronics, electric cable(s) (28), heat exchanger, and temperature change means. Mass spectrometer (17) monitors gas quality.

The mass selective fluid bandpass filter element made of quartz glass provides a method whereby with constant temperature operation the reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter can selectively pass species of a predetermined atomic mass unit value (AMU). Observed selectivity characteristics indicate that species within 1 AMU of its range can be selectively transmitted or rejected. The given species transmitted at a given time can be changed by adjusting the glass temperature.

A process flow method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere of comprising of the steps of: 1) providing a particle filter (1), 2) providing pressure control means selected from a group consisting consisting of: a) compression means by compression to a predetermined pressure by a pump (2); b) reduction means by pressure reduction by a pressure regulator (3), 3) providing storage of gas in a surge tank (13), 4) monitoring pressure by a pressure sensor (15), 5) providing temperature change of the gas to a predetermined temperature by a heat exchanger, 6) passing gas into the gas inlet structure, 7) containing gas at a predetermined pressure within the gas inlet space, 8) providing a mass selective fluid bandpass filter element made of quartz glass, 9) passing of predetermined gas across the mass selective fluid bandpass filter element made of quartz glass maintained at a predetermined temperature, 10) maintaining a constant temperature within a temperature window of −200 to +1000° C., 11) maintaining the pressure differential across the reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter is within the general pressure window of range of 1 to 10,000 PSIA, 12) collecting predetermined gas within the gas outlet space, 13) passing predetermined gas out via the filtered gas outlet, 14) passing non selected gas and/or gases out of the gas inlet space via the non filtered gas outlet structure.

Pressure of the gas within the gas inlet space is maintained by one or more of the means selected from the group consisting of: 1) a pump, 2) a pressure regulator in the inlet line, 3) a pressure regulator following the non filtered gas outlet structure, 4) pressure sensors, 5) electronics, and 6) electric cable(s). The pressure differential across the reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter is maintained within the general pressure window of range of 1 to 10,000 PSI. The pressure differential is set for the specific selected gas and operating conditions.

Temperature of the gas within the gas inlet space and the temperature of a reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter are maintained at a predetermined temperature. This temperature is maintained by one or more of the means selected from the group consisting of: 1) means regulating the temperature and rate of fluid flow through heat exchanger fluid lines and within a heat exchanger, 2) temperature change means wound directly on the glass surface of the mass selective filter, 3) temperature sensors at predetermined locations, 4) electronics, 5) and insulation (not shown) as appropriate for the given parameters of the specific application. The reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter temperature is maintained within the general temperature window of −200 to +1000° C. The temperature is set for the specific selected gas and operating conditions.

The mass selective fluid bandpass filter element provides for the method of selecting a predetermined selected gas from the group consisting of: ¹H₂, ¹H²H, ²H₂, ¹H³H, ²H³H, ³H₂, ¹H₂O, ¹H²HO, ²H₂O, ¹H³HO, ²H³HO, ³H₂O, ³He, ⁴He, O₂, O₃, ¹²CO₂, ¹³CO₂, ¹⁴CO₂, CO, N₂, NO, NO₂, NO_(x), SiO₂, FeO, Fe₂O₃, SiF₄, HF, NH₃, SO₂, SO₃, H₂SO₄, H₂S, ³⁵Cl₂, ³⁷Cl₂, F₂, Al₂O₃, CaO, MnO, P₂O₅, volatile organic compounds, and peroxyacyl nitrates.

The essence of this invention are novel properties of quartz glass discovered by the inventor. In the case of manmade quartz, this invention includes addition of a predetermined chemical modifier in predetermined amounts during the manufacture of manmade quartz glass comprising the mass selective fluid filter element. The chemical modifier is one or more elements from the group of elements with atomic numbers of: 1, 3-9, 11-17, 19-35, 37-53, 55-85, and 87-109; wherein said element is in the form from the group of: a metal, a gas, a molecule, a salt, a rare earth, an oxide, a chloride, an ion, a carbonate, an acid, a base, or other form appropriate to glass manufacturing conditions. The chemical modifier will modify the gas transmittance of the quartz glass to give specific selectivity characteristics, specific transmittance of gas of a predetermined AMU value, and blockage of transmission of gases of differing AMU values.

Operation of the Invention

What is disclosed is a reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter. This invention is an improvement of a previous invention of U.S. Pat. No. 10,005,033. The un-reinforced filter structure of the previous invention is not capable of withstanding a differential pressure greater than 30 PSIA. This is not acceptable for operation of this filter in gas separation other than instrumentation usage as described in our previous patent. This filter provides for selecting gas molecules of a specific mass from a gas sample containing molecules of two or more mass species, and is able to withstand the high pressure differentials needed for commercial application. The previous patent examiner advised that a separate patent application would be needed. This filter provides a means of operation of selecting a predetermined gas from a group of gases or an atmosphere. At differing temperatures, with all other conditions equal, the gates within the quartz glass selectively open and close to the transmittance of a given specific gas.

The method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere comprising the steps of the following operations: 1) collecting gases or an atmosphere, 2) drawing gas or gases through a particulate filter by collection means selected from a group consisting of: a) a pump, b) a pressure regulator, 3) admitting gas to a surge tank wherein pressure fluctuations are dampened, 4) passing gas through the heat exchanger, 5) maintaining gas at a predetermined temperature, 6) passing gas though the inlet structure into the gas inlet space, 7) maintaining a constant predetermined temperature with temperature change means wrapped about the mass selective liquid bandpass filter element, 8) providing gas selective gates of the quartz glass that are open to transmission of the predetermined gas, 9) providing gas selective gates of the quartz glass that are closed to transmission of all other non predetermined gases, 10) collecting predetermined gas in the gas outlet space by passing predetermined gas through the open gates of the mass selective fluid filter element, 11) passing predetermined gas out via the filtered gas outlet, 12) maintaining a predetermined pressure within the gas inlet space by the pressure regulator following the non filtered gas outlet structure, 13) passing non selected gas or gasses through a pressure regulator following the non filtered gas outlet structure, 14) collecting non selected gas and/or gasses in a surge tank, 15) monitoring process flow with thermocouples, pressure sensors, and mass spectrometers, 16) conducting gas flow in pipe(s) (18), 17) monitoring process operation with electronics, 18) controlling process operation with electronics.

An individual reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter is mounted in a housing and individual units are series connected to increases the purity of the outlet gas as shown in FIG. 3. An individual reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter is mounted in a housing and individual units are serially connected to remove more than one predetermined gas from the gas mixture and or atmosphere as shown in FIG. 4.

An individual reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter mounted in a housing incorporates endcap(s) and housing to provide for a structurally sound assemblage. Depending on the application, gases exit via a non filtered gas outlet (22) and one or more selected gas outputs (24,25,26,27). Additional outputs may be provided (not shown) as needed by the application.

Also not shown is that an individual reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter is mounted in a housing and individual units are both series and serially connected as needed by the application.

Objects and Advantages

Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the selective fluid bandpass filter and means of selecting a predetermined gas from a group of gases or an atmosphere described in this patent application, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

-   -   (a) to provide for a means to commercially collect CO₂ from the         atmosphere in commercial quantities.     -   (b) to provide for a means to commercially collect ³He from the         atmosphere in commercial quantities.     -   (c) to provide for a means to remove noxious gases from the         atmosphere.     -   (d) to provide for a commercial means to eliminate smog.     -   (e) to provide a means for collecting fusion fuel from water.     -   (f) to provide for a means of separating remaining fusion fuel         from spent gases.     -   (g) to provide for a means of operating fusion reactors         sequentially using waste output for fuel.     -   (h) to provide for a commercial means of providing         fusionsynthesis.     -   (i) to provide for a commercial means of greenhouse gas         recycling.     -   (j) to provide for a commercial means of obtaining carbon         neutrality.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

In the descriptions above, the reader has seen several embodiments of our reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter and means of selecting a predetermined gas from a group of gases or an atmosphere. There are differing applications for these apparatus and means. One example is a commercial means of separation of ³He from available terrestrial helium sources. These very different applications make best use of differing embodiments of our reinforced mass selective liquid bandpass filter.

The operational embodiment of this invention is applicable to selecting a predetermined gas from a group of gases or an atmosphere and commercial production of the predetermined gas. The basic mechanism of the reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter is to provide for the selective transmission of a gas of specific mass across the filter at high differential pressures allowing useable rates of gas flow across the filter and to provide for the selective blockage of transmission of related gases of nearly identical mass to that of the selected gas. Furthermore, the reinforced mass selective fluid bandpass filter and means of this invention has the additional advantages in that:

-   -   (a) the gas mass selected for transmission is controlled by the         temperature of the filter.     -   (b) gases of nearby lower mass are selectively rejected.     -   (c) gases of nearby higher mass are selectively rejected.     -   (d) the gas mass selected for transmission is adjustable by         changing the temperature of the filter.     -   (e) to provide for commercial equipment for production of the         predetermined, selected gas.     -   (f) to provide for removal of noxious gases from an atmosphere.     -   (g) to provide for removal of greenhouse gases from an         atmosphere.     -   (h) to provide production of purified gases for hydrocarbon         synthesis.     -   (i) to provide for production of predetermined substrate gases         for industrial processes.     -   (j) to provide for a commercial means of separation of ³He from         available terrestrial helium sources.     -   (k) to provide for a commercial means of fusion reactor fuel         production.     -   (l) to provide for a commercial means of target material for         neutron detectors used for laboratory fusion experiments.     -   (m) to provide for a commercial means of target material for         neutron detectors used for laboratory experiments.     -   (n) to provide for a commercial means of target material for         neutron detectors used in portable nuclear security monitors.

While our above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example:

-   -   (a) thinning the quartz glass membrane from that of our initial         experimental conditions.     -   (b) applying pressure to the gas in contact with the glass.     -   (c) increasing the pressure differential across the glass.     -   (d) using a multiplicity of tubes in the filter structure.     -   (e) supporting thin quartz glass layers by support with sintered         quartz glass.     -   (f) high-temperature heating to fuse the glass covering over the         supporting sintered material.     -   (h) increasing the quartz glass membrane thickness to raise “Q”.

In the descriptions above, we have put forth theories of operation that we believe to be correct. While we believe these theories to be correct, we don't wish to be bound by them. While there have been described above the principals of this invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and is not as a limitation to the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment(s) illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

I claim:
 1. A mass selective fluid bandpass filter.
 2. The mass selective fluid bandpass filter of claim 1, wherein said mass selective fluid bandpass filter uses a process flow method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere of comprising of the steps of: providing a particle filter, providing pressure control means selected from a group consisting consisting of: a) compression means by compression to a predetermined pressure by a pump; b) reduction means by pressure reduction by a pressure regulator, providing storage of gas in a surge tank, monitoring pressure by a pressure sensor, providing temperature change of the gas to a predetermined temperature by a heat exchanger, passing gas into the gas inlet structure, containing gas at a predetermined pressure within the gas inlet space, providing a mass selective fluid bandpass filter made of quartz glass, passing of predetermined gas across the mass selective fluid bandpass filter made of quartz glass maintained at a predetermined temperature, maintaining a constant temperature within a temperature window of −200 to +1000° C., maintaining the pressure differential across the mass selective fluid bandpass filter is within the general pressure window of range of 1 E⁻⁸ Torr to 10,000 PSI, collecting predetermined gas within the gas outlet space, passing predetermined gas out via the filtered gas outlet, passing non selected gas and/or gases out of the gas inlet space via the non filtered gas outlet structure.
 3. The method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere of claim 2, wherein said mass selective fluid bandpass filter is a supercooled liquid, wherein said supercooled liquid is quartz glass.
 4. The method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere of claim 2, wherein said mass selective fluid bandpass filter provides for the method of selecting a predetermined selected gas from the group consisting of: ¹H₂, ¹H²H, ²H₂, ¹H³H, ²H³H, ³H₂, ¹H₂O, ¹H²HO, ²H₂O, ¹H³HO, ²H³HO, ³H₂O, ³He, ⁴He, O₂, O₃, ¹²CO₂, ¹³CO₂, ¹⁴CO₂, CO, N₂, NO, NO₂, NO_(x), SiO₂, FeO, Fe₂O₃, SiF₄, HF, NH₃, SO₂, SO₃, H₂SO₄, H₂S, ³⁵Cl₂, ³⁷Cl₂, F₂, Al₂O₃, CaO, MnO, P₂O₅, volatile organic compounds, and peroxyacyl nitrates.
 5. The method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere of claim 2, wherein said quartz glass consists of quartz of either natural or manmade origin.
 6. The method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere of claim 2, wherein said mass selective fluid bandpass filter temperature is maintained within the general temperature window of −200 to +1000° C.
 7. The method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere of claim 2, wherein the pressure differential across the mass selective fluid bandpass filter is maintained within the general pressure window of range of 1 E⁻⁸ Torr to 10,000 PSI.
 8. The method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere of claim 2, wherein the specific atomic mass unit at which maximum transmission occurs is influenced by factors including temperature of said mass selective fluid bandpass filter made of quartz glass, thickness of said mass selective fluid bandpass filter made of quartz glass, differential pressure across said mass selective fluid bandpass filter made of quartz glass, and the composition of said mass selective fluid bandpass filter made of quartz glass.
 9. The method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere of claim 2, wherein said mass selective fluid bandpass filter made of quartz glass provides a method for very selective filtering of gases of close atomic mass unit values within the operational range of this filter.
 10. The method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere of claim 2, wherein said mass selective fluid bandpass filter made of quartz glass provides a method wherein the atomic mass unit of maximum transmission has a direct relationship with the temperature of said mass selective fluid bandpass filter made of quartz glass.
 11. The method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere of claim 2, wherein said mass selective fluid bandpass filter made of quartz glass provides a method wherein species of a given atomic mass unit under set conditions are selectively transmitted, whereas species of higher and lower atomic mass unit values are selectively blocked, wherein said mass selective fluid bandpass filter exhibits a high quality, or “Q” characteristic.
 12. The method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere of claim 2, wherein said mass selective fluid bandpass filter made of quartz glass provides a method that is selectively semipermeable to the gases to to be filtered by this apparatus.
 13. The method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere of claim 2, wherein said mass selective fluid bandpass filter made of quartz glass provides a method whereby with constant temperature operation the mass selective fluid bandpass filter can selectively pass species of a predetermined atomic mass unit value.
 14. The method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere of claim 2, wherein said mass selective fluid bandpass filter made of quartz glass provides a method for very selective filtering of gases of close atomic mass unit values within the operational range of this filter.
 15. The method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere of claim 2, wherein the method of separation the predetermined gas comprising the steps of the following operations: collecting gases or an atmosphere, drawing gas or gases through a particulate filter by collection means selected from a group consisting of: a) a pump, b) a pressure regulator, admitting gas to a surge tank wherein pressure fluctuations are dampened, passing gas through the heat exchanger, maintaining gas at a predetermined temperature, passing gas though the inlet structure into the gas inlet space, maintaining a constant predetermined temperature with temperature change means wrapped about the mass selective liquid bandpass filter element, providing gas selective gates of the quartz glass that are open to transmission of the predetermined gas, providing gas selective gates of the quartz glass that are closed to transmission of all other non predetermined gases, collecting predetermined gas in the gas outlet space by passing predetermined gas through the open gates of the mass selective fluid filter element, passing predetermined gas out via the filtered gas outlet, maintaining a predetermined pressure within the gas inlet space by the pressure regulator following the non filtered gas outlet structure, passing non selected gas or gasses through a pressure regulator following the non filtered gas outlet structure, collecting non selected gas and/or gasses in a surge tank, monitoring process flow with thermocouples, pressure sensors, and mass spectrometers, conducting gas flow in pipes, monitoring process operation with electronics, controlling process operation with electronics.
 16. The method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere of claim 2, wherein said mass selective fluid bandpass filter is mounted in a housing and individual units are series connected to increases the purity of the outlet gas.
 17. The method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere of claim 2, wherein said mass selective fluid bandpass filter is mounted in a housing and individual units are serially connected to remove more than one predetermined gas from the gas mixture and or atmosphere.
 18. The method of separation of a predetermined gas from a mixture of gases or an atmosphere of claim 2, wherein said mass selective fluid bandpass filter is mounted in a housing individual units are both series and serially connected as needed by the application.
 19. Addition of a predetermined chemical modifier in predetermined amounts during the manufacture of manmade quartz glass.
 20. The chemical modifier of claim 19, wherein said chemical modifier is one or more elements from the group of elements with atomic numbers of: 1, 3-9, 11-17, 19-35, 37-53, 55-85, and 87-109; wherein said element is in the form from the group of: a metal, a gas, a molecule, a salt, a rare earth, an oxide, a chloride, an ion, a carbonate, an acid, a base, or other form appropriate to glass manufacturing conditions.
 21. The chemical modifier of claim 19, wherein said chemical modifier will modify the gas transmittance of the quartz glass to give specific selectivity characteristics, specific transmittance of gas of a predetermined AMU value, and blockage of transmission of gases of differing AMU values. 